UNESCO commends these new ratifications as part of an important movement that has accelerated over the past two years and that the Organization is keen to see extended. These accessions stand as proof of a common engagement in the fight against doping in sport and of a global recognition of the values embodied by the Convention.

With Djibouti and the Solomon Islands joining the Convention, the regions Africa and Asia and the Pacific are one step closer to complete coverage, as only 10 Member States have yet to accede (Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Niue, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Timor-Leste and United Republic of Tanzania). Full completion has been reached by Europe and North America, as well as Latin America and the Caribbean, while three Arab States still remain outside the scope of this instrument. UNESCO is optimistic about these States’ capacity to join the Convention and its principles embracing sport integrity.

As the only United Nations’ organization with a mandate in the area of sport governance and policies, UNESCO celebrates this year the 10th anniversary of the International Convention against Doping in Sport, which is also the second most important UNESCO Convention in terms of ratification.